Service in the School Celebrating our Parent Volunteers This issue of Spectemur celebrates ‘Service’ in all its forms. At Camberwell Grammar School, we are fortunate to have a vibrant community that encourages parent involvement. And there are an extraordinary range of groups and activities for parents to join. Parents can join the Parents’ Association, choose from the wide range of ‘Friends Of’ groups or help out with once-off events, such as Open Day or Christmas pudding preparation. In celebration of National Volunteers Week (17-23 May), we asked some of our parent helpers about their experience of volunteering at the School.
Allison / Auxiliary Convenor I co-ordinate all the Auxiliary events that happen at Camberwell Grammar throughout the school year, including organising the CGS Puddings making and sales, The Open Day cake stall and the Grandparents Day memorabilia stand. Volunteering is a great way to meet parents and connect with the CGS community and I get to know a lot of people from different year levels. It is great speaking with other parents and learning tips and tricks of managing teenage boys, finding out about what is happening in the school, and seeing my own son ‘in the wild’.
the fabulous team in the Community and Development Office who are so supportive, and the wonderful team of parents working together. My son likes that I am familiar with what is happening at School, a connection that benefits us both. Hopefully, it encourages him to be involved where he can too. For other parents who want to get involved, you are always welcome to come to a meeting if you have any ideas you would like to contribute, we are always after new ideas!
Debbie / Friends of Norge Convenor
Being involved in the Auxiliary has been a wonderful learning experience. There are many talented and interesting people in our school community, and it is great to get a different perspective when challenges arise. Last year when faced with the possibility of not providing CGS puddings for the first time in 36 years due to Covid restrictions, the Auxiliary team was able to organise having the pudding making outsourced using the original CGS recipe. I think giving back to the School sets a good example to both my children and I hope they will do the same in the future. I believe you get more than you give when you volunteer. Volunteering for the CGS Auxiliary is fun and easy. You can be involved in as much or as little as you like. You could do a shift at the Cafeteria, help mix puddings or sell cakes or memorabilia at Open Day. We also welcome volunteers with great finance or organisational skills to help on the Auxiliary Committee. Whatever you can do, we look forward to welcoming you! Getting involved is a great way to feel part of the wonderful Camberwell Grammar School community.
Kelsey / Auxiliary Secretary and Parents Association Secretary One of the benefits of volunteering for the School is meeting other parents – it is not only a lot of fun but you learn so much, especially from parents of boys in older year levels. I have made some lovely friends through volunteering. Honestly, it has been challenge-free (apart from the obvious Covid interruption). This is 100% due to
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Friends of Norge are the parent support group for Junior School. As coordinators, we organise Junior School functions such as the Mother’s Day Breakfast, Father’s Day Breakfast, Open Day, and other events for the boys like sausage sizzle on footy day, which is very popular with the boys. As Friends of Norge Convenor, I also chair the Friends of Norge meetings which are held twice a term where we meet with all Junior School class reps, the Head and Deputy Head of Junior School. One of the biggest joys I get out of volunteering at the School is getting to know more people. I get to meet many boys and parents from all different year levels, and I’ve made many wonderful friendships. It has also given me insight into the School, and it makes me appreciate all the work that goes behind providing quality education to our boys. In addition to this, my boys love to see me around the School and they often ask about what I’m doing. I hope it will provide good role modelling for them that they will pay it forward in the future.
